The Sensitive Gut

by Michael Lasalandra, Lawrence S. Friedman

DO YOU EXPERIENCE FREQUENT STOMACHACHES

OR EXCESSIVE GAS AFTER EATING?

DOES EATING A SIMPLE MEAL LEAVE YOU

WITH A FEELING OF HEARTBURN?

DO CONSTIPATION AND DIARRHEA PLAGUE YOUR LIFE?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder. As many as one in four people experience these troublesome symptoms, and they don't get the problem adequately diagnosed and treated.

In The Sensitive Gut, readers will learn that the root causes of these symptoms are often a group of disorders -- reflux disease, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food allergies, or other conditions. The causes of these disorders are not fully understood, but their effects are quite real.

This valuable guide explains each of these disorders and, more important, describes how they are diagnosed and treated. You will learn:

how heartburn is exacerbated by high-fat foods, onions, garlic, alcohol, and coffee how cauliflower and chewing gum can trigger IBS how to determine whether you have dyspepsia or an ulcer which oral laxatives seem to be the most effective and produce the fewest side effects and much more...

Besides suggesting eating plans to soothe and minimize symptoms, The Sensitive Gut also evaluates new alternative approaches such as relaxation response training, hypnosis, and biofeedback. Finally, lists of questions are included to help readers make the most of their time with their doctors.

A reassuring and practical guide to managing common intestinal distress, The Sensitive Gut can improve the quality of life for millions of Americans.

Genres: Health

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Karinne Nevarez]

I got this book thinking it would help me with my stomach problems. Although I did learn a lot from this book, it was mostly a concise explanation of the most common functional gastrointestinal problems, what some causes are, and what treatments there are. Despite the content not being the most exciting, it was still quite easy to understand and it was not boring. The author even threw in some humor here and there. A few things I found particularly interesting:
1. Typical meals take two hours for the stomach to reduce food to liquid. High protein can take 2 or more hours; high fat can take six plus hours; liquids within an hour
2. It takes 4-72 hours for food to move through the colon
3. The colon is more sensitive and reactive in those with IBS, however, some research says that colon activity is no different than those without IBS
4. Those with IBS have a heightened awareness of inner workings of their gut
5. The audible gurgles and rumbles of the stomach is called borborygmi
6. The average person’s intestines holds 100-200 milliliters of gas, produces about 2 liters over a span of 24 hours, and emits 50-500 milliliters of gas 14 times a day. If someone who is lactose intolerant consumes 2 grams of lactose, they can produce 1400 milliliters of hydrogen (more than 2 times the amount the average person expels in a day)
7. Studies show that those with IBS have significantly higher stress than those without IBS
Stress reduction techniques have been effective in relaxing IBS symptoms
8. One study, where they could see inside the intestines, they saw the patient’s stomach grew pale and produced less gastric juice when showing fear, anger, or impatience.
9. Higher rates of sexual and physical abuse have been found in patients with gastrointestinal disorders
10. Half of patients with a functional gastrointestinal disorder also have depression or anxiety disorders. Data supports efficacy of antidepressants in treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders

[Zac Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a tad dated (there is no mention of low fodmap, for example), this was a concise way of describing the symptoms, possible treatments, and things that a person should think about when dealing with a GI issue.

[Akhil Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary of gut system for a layman. It does not contain a magic wand for all those who are looking for a cure for reflux disease, Irritated bowel syndrome, etc. However, it explains neatly as to what causes what. It does convince the reader that the mind is intricately and strongly related to Guts. Hence, we ought to calm ourselves down in order to have a better functioning Gut and a better life.

[Emily D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help you understand how your digestive system works and how it malfunctions.

It also goes ito detail about the popular medications and their side-effects, and some alternative medicine options.

Easy to read. Not overly scientific.